Sen. Roxanne Persaud

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 1552 requests Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim November 14-21, 2026, as Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week in New York State. This non-binding resolution does not create new laws or policies but aims to raise public awareness about hunger and homelessness, which affect an estimated 2.6 million food-insecure New Yorkers and 91,897 people experiencing homelessness daily. The resolution cites statistics from Feeding America and state data to emphasize the need for greater community engagement during this observance period.

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative Senate Resolution (J 1558) honoring Margaret D. Williams, a Coney Island community leader and member of the doo-wop group The Cookies, who passed away in January 2026. The resolution recognizes her musical legacy - including chart-topping hits like "Chains" and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction - and her decades of community service, including 33 years with NYC Health and her work with the Coney Island History Project. It serves as a symbolic tribute from the legislature, expressing condolences to her family and celebrating her life’s impact. As a procedural resolution, it does not create new laws or affect any policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New York's public assistance law to clarify that when a parent or non-parent caregiver chooses to exclude a child from the public assistance household, the child's unearned income (such as savings or gifts) is not counted toward household income for eligibility purposes. It directly affects families applying for public assistance who include or exclude children living with them. The key change adds a specific provision to the law explicitly stating that excluded children's unearned income should be disregarded, removing ambiguity in current rules. This ensures that excluding a child from the household does not automatically include their unearned income in the household's financial calculation.

Maddy summaryBill S 1062 directs the Council on the Arts to develop specific criteria and guidelines for establishing state-designated arts and cultural districts. These districts are defined as geographic areas within cities, towns, or villages with a concentration of arts or cultural facilities. Local governments, or multiple governments jointly, can apply for this designation based on criteria that may include attracting artists, encouraging job development, fostering tourism, and enhancing local cultural development. Once designated, these districts would receive state-supported assistance from the Department of Economic Development, such as technical support for grants and marketing expertise.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 1537 requests Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 2026 as Blood Clot Awareness Month in New York State, aligning with the national observance. The resolution highlights blood clots as a major health threat - causing thousands of deaths annually and affecting people of all ages - without creating new laws or policies. It serves as a symbolic effort to raise public awareness about prevention and early detection, rather than implementing concrete legislative changes.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution requests Governor Hochul to proclaim April 2026 as Oral Cancer Awareness Month in New York State. It highlights the importance of early detection through annual dental screenings, noting that oral cancer often has no symptoms but has high survival rates when caught early. The resolution emphasizes rising risks for certain groups, including African-Americans and women, due to factors like HPV-16 exposure and disparities in survival rates. The proclamation aims to boost public awareness and encourage routine screenings without creating new laws or funding.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (J 1535) requests Governor Kathy Hochul to officially proclaim February 2026 as Black History Month in New York State. It does not create new law but asks the Governor to issue a formal state recognition. The resolution cites historical contributions of Black Americans across civil rights, culture, science, and innovation as context for the observance. The Senate adopted the resolution on February 4, 2026, sending it to the Governor for action.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a binding bill) requesting Governor Hochul to designate January 25-31, 2026, as "Physician Anesthesiologists Week" in New York. It does not create new laws or affect any specific group, but honors anesthesiologists' historical contributions to medical innovations like the Apgar Score and regional anesthesia. The resolution cites their role in advancing patient safety, pain management, and critical care. It was formally adopted by the Senate and will be sent to the Governor for consideration.

Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic resolution (Senate Resolution 1516) passed by the legislature to commemorate the 18th anniversary of Kosovo's independence on February 17, 2026. It formally acknowledges Kosovo's independence from Serbia (declared in 2008) and celebrates its progress in democratic governance, while recognizing the contributions of Kosovar communities in New York. The resolution has no legal effect and does not create new policies or affect any individuals or groups. It serves solely as a ceremonial expression of support for Kosovo's independence and its partnership with the United States.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution congratulating Jolie Chichak, a Shenendehowa High School student, on winning the 2025 NYSPHSAA Girls Tennis Singles State Championship. It formally recognizes her athletic achievement (including her first Section 2 singles title and school's first state singles championship) and academic record (96.33 GPA). The resolution has no policy impact - it solely offers symbolic recognition to Chichak and her coaches/school staff. It does not create legal obligations or alter any laws.